Morphological and kinematic signatures of a binary central star in the planetary nebula Hu 2-1

We present H α , [N  ii ] and [O  iii ] ground-based and HST archive images, VLA–A 3.6-cm continuum and H92 α emission-line data and high-resolution long-slit [N  ii ] spectra of the planetary nebula Hu 2-1. A large number of structural components are identified in the nebula: an outer bipolar and an inner shell, two pairs of collimated bipolar structures at different directions, monopolar bow-shock-like structures, and an extended equatorial structure within a halo. The formation of Hu 2-1 appears to be dominated by anisotropic mass ejection during the late-AGB stage of the progenitor and by variable, 'precessing' collimated bipolar outflows during the protoplanetary nebula and/or early planetary nebula phases. Different observational results strongly support the existence of a binary central star in Hu 2-1, among them (1) the observed point-symmetry of the bipolar lobes and inner shell, and the departures from axial symmetry of the bipolar lobes, (2) the off-centre position of the central star, (3) the detection of mass ejection towards the equatorial plane, and (4) the presence of 'precessing' collimated outflows. In addition, (5) an analysis of the kinematics shows that the systemic velocity of the bipolar outflows does not coincide with the systemic velocity of the bipolar shell. We propose that this velocity difference is a direct evidence of orbital motion of the ejection source in a binary system. From a deduced orbital velocity of ∼10 km s⁻¹, a semimajor axis of ∼ 9–27 au and period of ∼ 25–80 yr are obtained, assuming a reasonable range of masses. These parameters are used to analyse the formation of Hu 2-1 within current scenarios of planetary nebulae with binary central stars.     

The nature and structure of the emission line nebula K 3-35: a very young planetary nebula with precessing bipolar jet-like outflows?

We present Hα, [N  II ]6583 and 6-cm continuum images of the emission line nebula K 3-35. The optical images reveal an extended nebula (size ≃ 11 × 9 arcsec² in [N  II ]) in which most of the emission originates in a very narrow (width 0.7–1.3 arcsec) S-shaped region which extends almost all along the nebula (≃ 7 arcsec). The 6-cm continuum emission also arises in this narrow region, which is characterized by an exceedingly high point-symmetry and systematic and continuous changes of the orientation with respect to the nebular centre. The properties of the narrow region suggest that it represents a system of precessing bipolar jet-like components. Two low-excitation, compact bipolar knots near the tips of the jet-like components are observed in the deduced [N  II ]/Hα image ratio. These knots may be generated by the interaction of the collimated outflows with surrounding material. A comparison of the optical and radio images shows the existence of differential extinction within the nebula. Maximum extinction is observed in a disc-like region which traces the equator of the elliptical shell previously observed at 20-cm continuum. All available data strongly suggest that K 3-35 is a very young planetary nebula in which we could be observing the first stages of the formation of collimated outflows and point-symmetric structures typically observed in planetary nebulae. The properties of the jet-like components in K 3-35 are in good agreement with models of binary central stars in which highly collimated outflows originate either from a precessing accretion disc or via magnetic collimation in a precessing star.     

High-resolution spectroscopy and broad-band imaging of the young planetary nebula K 3-35

We present high-resolution echelle and long-slit spectra and broad-band ( R , I ) images of the very young planetary nebula K 3-35. Several emission lines are identified, including the He  ii  4686 line and strong [N  ii ]6548, 6583 and [O  iii ]4959, 5007 emissions [ I ([N  ii ])/ I (H α )≃5.5, I ([O  iii ])/ I (H β )≃30]. A systemic velocity V _LSR≃10±2 km s⁻¹ for K 3-35 is obtained from the optical emission lines. Two different kinematic components are identified in the nebula. One of them is probably related to the elliptical envelope previously observed. The second component exhibits systematic changes of the radial velocity with position, and a relatively small velocity width. This component may be attributed to the precessing jet-like outflows previously identified. The R and I images and the deduced R − I colour map strongly support the existence of a dense, partially neutral disc-like region in the equatorial plane of the nebula, which probably represents an equatorial density enhancement in a previously ejected slow wind. Diagnostic diagrams for line intensity ratios in K 3-35 and collimated components of other planetary nebulae suggest that the emission spectrum of this kind of structure is a combination of radiative and shock excitation, in agreement with recent models of shocks in a strongly photoionized medium.     

High-speed knots in the hourglass-shaped planetary nebula Hubble 12

We present a detailed kinematical analysis of the young compact hourglass-shaped planetary nebula Hb 12. We performed optical imaging and long-slit spectroscopy of Hb 12 using the Manchester echelle spectrometer with the 2.1-m San Pedro Mártir telescope. We reveal, for the first time, the presence of end caps (or knots) aligned with the bipolar lobes of the planetary nebula shell in a deep [N  ii ]λ6584 image of Hb 12. We measured from our spectroscopy radial velocities of  ∼120 km s⁻¹  for these knots.
We have derived the inclination angle of the hourglass-shaped nebular shell to be ∼65° to the line of sight. It has been suggested that Hb 12's central star system is an eclipsing binary which would imply a binary inclination of at least 80°. However, if the central binary has been the major shaping influence on the nebula, then both nebula and binary would be expected to share a common inclination angle.
Finally, we report the discovery of high-velocity knots with Hubble-type velocities, close to the core of Hb 12, observed in Hα and oriented in the same direction as the end caps. Very different velocities and kinematical ages were calculated for the outer and inner knots showing that they may originate from different outburst events.     

Resonant capture, counter-rotating discs, and polar rings

Narrow-band H α and [N  ii ] images and high-dispersion spatially resolved echelle spectroscopy of the planetary nebula NGC 6891 are presented. These observations show a great wealth of structures. The bright central nebula is surrounded by an attached shell and a detached outer halo. Both the inner and intermediate shells can be described as ellipsoids with similar major to minor axial ratios, but different spatial orientations. The kinematical ages of the intermediate shell and halo are 4800 and 28 000 yr, respectively. The intershell time lapse is in good agreement with the evolutionary interpulse time lapse. A highly collimated outflow is observed to protrude from the tips of the major axis of the inner nebula and impact on the outer edge of the intermediate shell. Kinematics and excitation of this outflow provide conclusive evidence that it is deflected during the interaction with the outer edge of the intermediate shell. At the same time, both the kinematics and the morphology of the intermediate shell appear to be affected by this interaction.     

A precessing jet model for the PN K 3 − 35: simulated radio-continuum emission

The bipolar morphology of the planetary nebula (PN) K 3 − 35 observed in radio-continuum images was modelled with 3D hydrodynamic simulations with the adaptive grid code yguazú-a . We find that the observed morphology of this PN can be reproduced considering a precessing jet evolving in a dense AGB circumstellar medium, given by a mass-loss rate     and a terminal velocity   v _w= 10 km s⁻¹  . Synthetic thermal radio-continuum maps were generated from numerical results for several frequencies. Comparing the maps and the total fluxes obtained from the simulations with the observational results, we find that a model of precessing dense jets, where each jet injects material into the surrounding CSM at a rate     (equivalent to a density of 8 × 10⁴ cm⁻³), a velocity of 1500 km s⁻¹, a precession period of 100 yr and a semi-aperture precession angle of 20° agrees well with the observations.     

The kinematics of NGC 4361, a Population II planetary nebula with a bipolar outflow

High-resolution, spatially-resolved profiles of H α , He  ii λ 6560 and [O  iii ] λ 5007 and deep narrow-band CCD images in the H α and [O  iii ] λ 5007 emission lines have been obtained of the planetary nebula (PN) NGC 4361. In addition, VLA-DnC λ 3.6-cm continuum observations are presented. This material allows one to explore in unprecedented detail the morphology and kinematics of this PN. The morphology of this object is complex given the highly filamentary structure of the envelope, which is confirmed to possess a low mass. The halo has a high expansion velocity that yields incompatible kinematic and evolutionary ages, unless previous acceleration of the nebular expansion is considered. However, the most remarkable result from the present observations is the detection of a bipolar outflow in NGC 4361, which is unexpected in a PN with a Population II low-mass-core progenitor. It is shown that shocks resulting from the interaction of the bipolar outflow with the outer shell are able to provide an additional heating source in this nebula.     

Radially aligned clumps and tails in planetary nebulae

We study the formation of radially aligned condensations and tails through the compression of material inside ionization shadows at early ionization phases of planetary nebulae. A dense clump, formed before ionization starts, forms an ionization shadow behind it. The surroundings, which are ionized before the shadow, have a higher temperature, and as a result compress the material in the shadow, forming a compressed tail. If the compressed tail crosses a dense shell, a dense condensation (clump) is formed there. At later stages this condensation is ionized and observed as a bright knot, radially aligned with the inner clump. We find that for the shadow to be effective, the clump should be already present as the ionization by the central star starts, and its density enhancement should be by a factor of ≳ 5. We propose this mechanism as an explanation for the radially aligned condensations recently found in the planetary nebula IC 4593.     

The influence of the environment on the propagation of protostellar outflows

The properties of bipolar outflows depend on the structure in the environment as well as the nature of the jet. To help distinguish between the two, we investigate here the properties pertaining to the ambient medium. We execute axisymmetric hydrodynamic simulations, injecting continuous atomic jets into molecular media with density gradients (protostellar cores) and density discontinuities (thick swept-up sheets). We determine the distribution of outflowing mass with radial velocity (the mass spectrum) to quantify our approach and to compare to observationally determined values. We uncover a sequence from clump entrainment in the flanks to bow shock sweeping as the density profile steepens. We also find that the dense, highly supersonic outflows remain collimated but can become turbulent after passing through a shell. The mass spectra vary substantially in time, especially at radial speeds exceeding 15 km s⁻¹. The mass spectra also vary according to the conditions: both envelope-type density distributions and the passage through dense sheets generate considerably steeper mass spectra than a uniform medium. The simulations suggest that observed outflows penetrate highly non-uniform media.     

Kinematics of the Gum nebula region

To investigate the kinematics of the neutral material around the Gum nebula, emission from hydroxyl at 1667 MHz was observed at many positions over the region. Fitting models of expanding shells to these data together with previously published molecular line data shows that the diffuse molecular clouds and cometary globules form a single expanding shell centred on G261−2.5. The mean angular radius is 10.5° and its maximum radius is 14°. The models show that the distance range to the expansion centre is from 200 pc to 500 pc.
The path of the runaway O-star ζ Puppis passed within <0.5° of the expansion centre of the neutral shell ∼1.5 Myr ago. The supernova of the erstwhile binary companion of ζ Puppis is the probable origin of the Gum nebula and the swept up expanding neutral shell. The 500-pc distance to the supernova is adopted as the distance to the expansion centre of the neutral shell. At this distance the energy required to produce the observed expansion could have been met with a single supernova. The radii of the front and back faces of the shell are 130 and 70 pc respectively. The front face is expanding faster than the back face, at 14 and 8.5 km s⁻¹ respectively.
The extent of the neutral shell matches the radio continuum and H α emission of the Gum nebula well. The photoionized gas in the nebula is probably primarily ionized by ζ Puppis, which is still within the neutral shell. No evidence was found for the IRAS -Vela shell as a separate expanding shell.     

L 43: the late stages of a molecular outflow

Our new 21-arcsec resolution CO J  = 2 → 1 map of the L 43 dark cloud shows a poorly collimated molecular outflow, with little evidence for wings at velocities 10 km s⁻¹. The outflow appears not to be currently driven by a jet: its structure can instead be modelled as a slowly expanding shell. The shell may be compressed either by a wide-angled wind catching up with an existing shell (as in the case of planetary nebulæ), or by the thermal pressure of a hot low-emissivity medium interior to the shell. The outflow is most probably in a late stage of evolution, and appears to be in the process of blowing away its molecular cloud. We also present a 45-arcsec resolution CO J  = 1 → 0 map of the whole molecular cloud, showing that the outflow structure is clearly visible even in the integrated intensity of this low excitation line, and suggesting that rapid mapping may prove useful as a way of finding regions of outflow activity. We also examine the immediate surroundings of the driving source with 450 μm imaging: this confirms that the outflow has already evacuated a bay in the vicinity of the young stellar object.     

The low-excitation structures of planetary nebulae

The low excitation properties of the planetary nebula (PN) NGC 6720 are known to be unusual, and to imply large ring/core emission ratios. We point out that such characteristics are by no means confined to this source alone, and that high ratios may occur in a large fraction of elliptical and circular PNe. Such trends may arise because of the presence of thin low-excitation emission sheets 'wrapped' within and around the primary outflows. The widths of such shells are required to be exceedingly small, and may (for certain cases) be of order ≪10⁻² pc. Such a mechanism appears capable of explaining most of the observed emission properties, and may arise through shock interaction between differing envelopes. Alternative explanations in terms of bipolar or cylindrical outflows are shown to be implausible.     

Bubbles in planetary nebulae and clusters of galaxies: jet bending

We study the bending of jets in binary stellar systems. A compact companion accretes mass from the slow wind of the mass-losing primary star, forms an accretion disc and blows two opposite jets. These fast jets are bent by the slow wind. Disregarding the orbital motion, we find the dependence of the bending angle on the properties of the slow wind and the jets. Bending of jets is observed in planetary nebulae which are thought to be the descendants of interacting binary stars. For example, in some of these planetary nebulae, the two bubbles (lobes) which are inflated by the two opposite jets are displaced to the same side of the symmetry axis of the nebula. Similar displacements are observed in bubble pairs in the centre of some clusters and groups of galaxies. We compare the bending of jets in binary stellar systems with that in clusters of galaxies.     

Possible detection of an old bipolar shell associated with η Carinae

Continuum-subtracted dereddened images in the light of several atomic lines show the presence of an extended bipolar nebula surrounding η Carinae with size ∼100×45 arcsec² (1.3×0.5 pc²). This feature is best delineated in [O  iii ] 5007. The geometrical disposition and mass of the shell suggest that it was formed by mass ejections from η Carinae. The dynamic age of the nebula is ∼13 000/ V ₇ yr, where V ₇ is the mean expansion velocity in 100 km s⁻¹, and its mass is between 5 and 10 M_⊙. The nebula is photoionized and composed of unprocessed material. The major axes of the nebula and of the Homunculus are nearly perpendicular. We also report the discovery of elongated emission knots prominent in [N  ii ] located 64 to 100 arcsec away from η Carinae, which implies that they were ejected either centuries ago or at a more recent date but with extremely large velocities.     

An H i interstellar bubble surrounding WR 85 and RCW 118

We analyse the distribution of the interstellar matter in the environs of the Wolf-Rayet star LSS 3982 (= WR 85, WN6+OB?) linked to the optical ring nebula RCW 118. Our study is based on neutral hydrogen 21-cm line data belonging to the Southern Galactic Plane Survey (SGPS).
The analysis of the H  i data allowed the identification of a neutral hydrogen interstellar bubble related to WR 85 and the 25-arcmin-diameter ring nebula RCW 118. The H  i bubble was detected at a systemic velocity of −21.5 km s⁻¹, corresponding to a kinematical distance of 2.8 ± 1.1 kpc, compatible with the stellar distance. The neutral structure is about 25 arcmin in radius or 21 ± 8 pc, and is expanding at 9 ± 2 km s⁻¹. The associated ionized and neutral masses amount to  3000 M_⊙  . The carbon monoxide (CO) emission distribution depicts a region lacking CO coincident in position and velocity with the H  i structure. The 9.3-arcmin-diameter inner optical nebula appears to be related to the approaching part of the neutral atomic shell. The H  i void and shell are the neutral gas counterparts of the optical bubble and have very probably originated in the action of the strong stellar wind of the central star during the O-type and WR phases on the surrounding interstellar medium. The H  i bubble appears to be in the momentum conserving stage.     

The emission and kinematic structures of the bipolar planetary nebula M 1-8

We have undertaken echelle spectroscopy and narrow-band line imaging of the bipolar planetary nebula M 1-8. This has permitted us to map the outflow in [N  ii ]λλ 6548+6583 Å, Hα, and in the v = 1–0 S(1) transition of H₂ at λ 2.122 μm. It has also permitted us to acquire high-resolution spectra for [N  ii ]λ 6583 Å, Hα and He  ii λ 6560 Å. Our observations support the results of a previous 2MASS analysis by two of the authors (J. P. Phillips and G. Ramos-Larios), and confirm that there is strong H₂ emission outside of the ionized zone, as well as along the major axis of the outflow. Finally, we have investigated the spatial structure of the outflow in low and high excitation lines, and noted evidence for strong ionization stratification within the envelope of the source. We also note that major axis spectra show asymmetries attributable to outflow along the lobes, oriented at an angle i ∼ 35°–40° to the line of sight. Asymmetries along the minor axis, by contrast, appear to be associated with the central collimating disc, and may be interpretable in terms of asymmetries in disc structure, or rotation at an angular velocity of Ω∼ 1.4 10⁻¹² rad s⁻¹. If the disc arises due to common-envelope evolution, then it seems that angular momentum constraints must be relatively tight, and can only be satisfied given fairly extreme physical assumptions (such as low disc mass, high primary star mass, a low distance to the source and so forth).     

X-ray emission by a shocked fast wind from the central stars of planetary nebulae

We calculate the X-ray emission from the shocked fast wind blown by the central stars of planetary nebulae (PNe) and compare with observations. Using spherically symmetric self-similar solutions, we calculate the flow structure and X-ray temperature for a fast wind slamming into a previously ejected slow wind. We find that the observed X-ray emission of six PNe can be accounted for by shocked wind segments that were expelled during the early-PN phase, if the fast wind speed is moderate,   v ₂∼ 400–600 km s⁻¹  , and the mass-loss rate is a few times  10⁻⁷ M_⊙ yr⁻¹  . We find, as proposed previously, that the morphology of the X-ray emission is in the form of a narrow ring inner to the optical bright part of the nebula. The bipolar X-ray morphology of several observed PNe, which indicates an important role of jets, rather than a spherical fast wind, cannot be explained by the flow studied here.     

Isolated versus common envelope dynamos in planetary nebula progenitors

The origin, evolution and role of magnetic fields in the production and shaping of proto-planetary nebulae (PPNe) and planetary nebulae (PNe) are a subject of active research. Most PNe and PPNe are axisymmetric with many exhibiting highly collimated outflows; however, it is important to understand whether such structures can be generated by isolated stars or require the presence of a binary companion. Towards this end, we study a dynamical, large-scale α−Ω interface dynamo operating in a 3.0 M_⊙ Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) star in both an isolated setting and a setting in which a low-mass companion is embedded inside the envelope. The back reaction of the fields on the shear is included and differential rotation and rotation deplete via turbulent dissipation and Poynting flux. For the isolated star, the shear must be resupplied in order to sufficiently sustain the dynamo. Furthermore, we investigate the energy requirements that convection must satisfy to accomplish this by analogy to the Sun. For the common envelope case, a robust dynamo results, unbinding the envelope under a range of conditions. Two qualitatively different types of explosion may arise: (i) magnetically induced, possibly resulting in collimated bipolar outflows and (ii) thermally induced from turbulent dissipation, possibly resulting in quasi-spherical outflows. A range of models is presented for a variety of companion masses.     

The physical conditions in the BHR71 outflows

Highly-collimated outflows are believed to be the earliest stage in outflow evolution, so their study is essential for understanding the processes driving outflows. The BHR71 Bok globule is known to harbour such a highly-collimated outflow, which is powered by a protostar belonging to a protobinary system. Using the APEX telescope on Chajnantor, we mapped the BHR71 highly-collimated outflow in CO(3-2), and observed several bright points of the outflow in the molecular transitions CO(4-3), CO(7-6), ¹³CO(3-2), C¹⁸O(3-2), CH₃OH(7-6) and H₂CO(4-3). We use an LVG code to characterise the temperature enhancements in these regions. These observations are particularly interesting for investigating the interaction of collimated outflows with the ambient molecular cloud. In our CO(3-2) map, the second outflow driven by IRS2, which is the second source of the binary system, is completely revealed and shown to be bipolar. We also measure temperature enhancements in the lobes. The CO and methanol LVG modelling points to temperatures between 30 and 50 K in the two lobes. The methanol emission in the southern lobe bright knot is barely resolved with the APEX single-dish. ALMA will thus be a central tool to study the shock chemistry in these regions.     

The optical spectrum of the planetary nebula NGC 6543

With the Hamilton echelle spectrograph at the Lick Observatory, emission-rich spectral lines of the planetary nebula NGC 6543 were secured in the wavelength range from 3550 to 10 100 Å. We chose two bright regions, ∼8 arcsec east and ∼13 arcsec north of the central star, the physical conditions and chemical abundances of which may differ as a result of the different physical characteristics involving the mass ejection of different epochs. By combining Hamilton echelle observations with archive UV data secured with the International Ultraviolet Explorer ( IUE ), we obtain improved diagnostics and chemical compositions for the two observed regions. The diagnostic diagram gives the average value of T _e=8000∼8300 K, and the electron number density near N _e∼5000 cm⁻³ for most ions, while some low-excitation lines indicate much higher temperatures, i.e. T _e∼10 000 K. With the construction of a photoionization model, we try to fit the observed spectra in a self-consistent way: thus, for most elements, we employ the same chemical abundances in the nebular shell; and we adopt an improved Sobolev approximation model atmosphere for the hydrogen-deficient Wolf–Rayet type central star. Within the observational errors, the chemical abundances do not seem to show any positional variation except for helium. The chemical abundances of NGC 6543 appear to be the same as in average planetary nebulae. The progenitor star may have been an object of one solar mass, most of the heavier elements of which were less plentiful than in the Sun.